§ Mr. Kevan JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Mr. Hugh Morgan Williams has been removed from the board of One North East; and if a representative of the North East CBI is to be appointed in his place. [18370]
§ Alan Johnson[holding answer 27 November 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 24 October 2001, Official Report, column 250W, which announced the decision to implement a rolling programme of board appointments. To achieve this it was necessary for some effective RDA board members to make way for new appointees. Hugh Morgan Williams will not be reappointed to the board of One North East when his appointment term ends in December 2001. The decision not to reappoint Hugh Morgan Williams was no reflection on his performance and I hope he will feel able to continue his involvement in the regeneration of the North East.
New appointments under the rolling programme will be announced shortly. These appointments are being made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Board members are appointed as individuals and not as representatives of organisations. They are appointed on merit and for the skills and expertise that they can offer.